<div class="ExternalClass4C486976418D4B93A39690311697F146"><p style="text-align:justify;">Chick-fil-A customers nationwide helped select the recipients of more than $1.1 million in grants, thanks to the new Chick-fil-A One app. The 2017 True Inspiration Awards honor and provide financial support to 22 not-for-profits in 16 states to help further their work with youth, fostering leadership skills and developing an entrepreneurial spirit.<strong> </strong>For the first time since the awards program began in 2014, Chick-fil-A utilized its new mobile app to allow customers to vote for organizations in their local communities. As a result, the Katy ISD Education Foundation was selected as a $15,000 award recipient.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="/PublishingImages/Lists/latestnews/AllItems/CFA%20Katy%20%20ISD%20Ed%20Foundation%20True%20Inspiration%20Vote.jpg" alt="CFA Katy ISD Ed Foundation True Inspiration Vote.jpg" style="margin:5px;width:400px;vertical-align:middle;" /><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Chick-fil-A's True Inspiration awards recognizes community organizations that align with the Chick-fil-A Foundation's mission to enable children to be all they were created to be. The Katy ISD Education Foundation rewards teacher inspiration of students by funding innovative classroom projects that go beyond district budget limitations. The Foundation was nominated by local Chick-fil-A operator, Rusty Wylie who said "Our community has more than its fair share of the brightest kids around. If we can help our children develop a love for learning while giving them hands-on, fun educational experiences, we'll give them the tools and encouragement they need to be great leaders. I'm just grateful Chick-fil-A can be a part of what is great about our community."</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>About Chick-fil-A, Inc .- </strong>Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,000 restaurants in 45 states and Washington, D.C.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Chick-fil-A system sales exceeded $6 billion in 2015, which marks 48 consecutive years of sales growth. Chick-fil-A earned a top spot in the 2015 Customer Service Hall of Fame for the second year in a row and is the only quick service restaurant to make the Customer Service Hall of Fame. The company was also the only restaurant brand named to the Top 10 "Best Companies to Work For" by 24/7 Wall Street. More information on Chick-fil-A is available on the chain's website located at <a href="http://www.chick-fil-a.com/">www.chick-fil-a.com</a>.</p><p><strong>About the Katy ISD Education Foundation</strong> - The Katy ISD Education Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that, in its first four years, has awarded more than $725,000 in grants to Katy ISD teachers all across the district. Its fifth year of grants will be awarded in May 2017. Learn more at www.katyisdeducationfoundation.org or contact 281-396-2461, foundation@katyisd.org.​</p></div>

<div class="ExternalClass09F06A67F31B426E8FB3BD0C821C989F"><p><em>Thousands of participants competed the ABM survey, provided feedback​</em></p><p><strong>What: </strong>Nearly 9,000 Katy ISD parents, staff and community members completed the survey on the proposed attendance boundary modifications (ABMs) presented to the Board of Trustees on November 14.</p><p>The proposed ABMs, designed to help balance enrollment at overcrowded campuses and prepare for the opening of three new schools next fall, would potentially impact Morton Ranch High School, Katy High School, Katy Junior High, McDonald Junior High, Katy Elementary and Wolman Elementary. </p><p>The survey results will be presented to the Board during the Work Study Meeting on Monday and posted online at <a href="/">www.katyisd.org</a> following the presentation.</p><p>Final recommendations and actions are anticipated to take place during the regular Board Meeting on December 12. For more information and FAQs regarding ABM, <a href="/Pages/ABM.aspx">click here</a>. <br></p><p><strong>Where</strong>: Education Support Complex - Board Room, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy, 77494</p><p><strong>When:</strong> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Monday, December 5, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.</strong></span></p></div>

Wood Group Partners with Morton Ranch Junior High in Founders Legacy Program

2016-12-08T19:51:28Z

<div class="ExternalClass644B19C64E8F44F28C62CE3BDA03A80B"><p>The Wood Group Founders Legacy program, which is committed to giving back to the community, donated $10,000 to Morton Ranch Junior High (MRJH). The focus of the program is to invest in the lives of middle school children, which is typically the age when students begin to define their sense of self, their vision of the future and their career path. </p><p>Michele McNichol, CEO of Wood Group Asset Life Cycle Solutions - West, presented the check to MRJH Principal, Dr. Sanée Bell on October 20, 2016. In addition to the monetary contribution, Wood Group also participates in volunteer engagement activities throughout the school year, such as mentoring, Journal Pals program, staff appreciation, student incentives and instructional support, Junior Achievement and school beautification. </p><p>The funds donated to the school will be used to support student leadership programs and opportunities, career exploration and community engagement initiatives. ​</p><p><img src="/PublishingImages/Lists/latestnews/AllItems/FoundersLegacyMRJHCheckOct2016_05.jpg" alt="""" style="margin:5px;width:400px;vertical-align:middle;" /><br></p><p><strong>​Listed in photo from left to right: Dr. Sanée Bell and CEO Michele McNichol</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><br></p></div>

<div class="ExternalClass65920A7CB6FA456B99333A0415E5E721"><p style="text-align:left;"><strong><em> SPARK Park, located at Winborn Elementary, to benefit students and entire community.</em></strong></p><p><strong>November 17, 2016 </strong>– During Thursday's grand opening ceremony, the Winborn Elementary Choir energetically sang a gratitude song to thank all those involved in creating the District's first SPARK Park on their school grounds.</p><p>"We are very grateful for this partnership with the SPARK program and the donors," said Katy ISD Superintendent Lance Hindt. "It's partnerships like these that make Katy ISD the premiere school district in the state."</p><p>The idea came to flourish when, Dr. Kris Mitzner, former Winborn Elementary principal, noticed a need for a community park to benefit all of the children in the surrounding neighborhoods. After lots of research, Mitzner came across the SPARK program, which dedicates its efforts to developing neighborhood parks on public school grounds, and made this park a reality for the community.</p><p>"I love math and other subjects, but the best part of my day is recess," said Hunter Ondrush, president of the Student Council at Winborn Elementary. In addition to monkey bars, slides, a walking trail, benches, picnic tables and an outdoor classroom setting, the park also features a public art component which consists of multiple tile displays adorned with artistic drawings created by students. </p><p>To date, the SPARK program has helped to turn underutilized school playgrounds into neighborhood parks at more than 200 locations.</p><p>Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Katy-ISD-113148448705253/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1267135569973196">here</a> to see photos from the awards.</p><p style="text-align:center;"># # #</p></div>

<div class="ExternalClass1F6B67D5E5164835B61010C08A165174"><p>​<span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#222222;font-family:verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.3px;">T</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#222222;font-family:verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.3px;">he Learning Counsel recognized Katy ISD for their work to integrate digital curriculum and technology into the teaching and learning process. The announcement was made on November 15th at their Annual Gathering and National Awards event in Orlando.</span></p><p style="color:#222222;font-family:verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.3px;background-color:#ffffff;">Katy was among 12 school districts from across the nation who were honored.</p><p style="color:#222222;font-family:verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.3px;background-color:#ffffff;">For more information and to read more about this award, click <a href="http://thelearningcounsel.com/article/12-school-districts-honored-their-innovative-digital-curriculum-transition-strategies">here​</a>.</p></div>

<div class="ExternalClass6B0D96FE8CFB4FE29AFED7F543DF40A6"><p>​</p><p>Since opening its doors in 2001, the Monty Ballard YMCA at Cinco Ranch has been devoted to the healthy minds, bodies and spirits of our community. It serves not just as a place where folks can go to further their individual well-being but also as a place of outreach, kindness and compassion. And since opening those doors, our YMCA has also been a devoted Katy ISD Partner in Education, always on the lookout for ways to help children. </p><p>Much of what the Monty Ballard YMCA does for Katy ISD students often goes unnoticed except by the grateful beneficiaries of their generosity. They provided 243 pairs of jeans for homeless teens and 100 blankets for elementary children. Our YMCA supported 80 students in the KEYS "Katy Students Run" program, helped kids receive braces at no cost to their families and provided books to children attending Camp Cinco. </p><p>Through their campus partnership with Shafer Elementary, the YMCA collectively donated canned goods for Ballard House and Eternal Food Ministries along with 100 coats for children who needed them. Individually, employees serve as KEYS mentors and Sundown Elementary Carnival volunteers, while District Executive Director Brian Haines serves on the Partners in Education Advisory Board and often lends his skills as a guest speaker. </p><p>But the epitome of the YMCA community outreach is their backpack drive – an initiative of Greater Houston YMCAs – that impacts thousands of regional children annually. This year in Katy alone, our local YMCA collected 49,351 items….that went into 2,459 backpacks….that benefitted children at 32 elementaries, 8 junior highs and 4 high schools. According to Outreach Coordinator Connie Stirgus, "When I started in 2011, we collected 250 backpacks my first year. I knew this community could do more, and we have! The generosity of Katy is sometimes overwhelming." </p><p>Katy ISD School-Business Partnerships have one requirement: human resource involvement that will ultimately benefit a child. And because of their philosophical promise and commitment to families, the Monty Ballard YMCA of Cinco Ranch is a stellar example of a business partner who does just that.​</p></div>

<div class="ExternalClassB6AD749089BD460FB9EF9E4682624828"><p>With the holidays fast approaching, Mayde Creek High School Theatre Company cordially invites you to come see <em>A Christmas Carol</em>. The classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's journey from an inhumane and heartless grouch to a generous and caring soul with the aid of three Christmas spirits who show him the meaning of life one Christmas night. </p><p>Performances take place December 8, 9, and 10 at 7:00 p.m. with an additional 2:00 p.m. </p><p>matinee on December 10. Tickets can be purchased now at <a href="http://www.mchstheatre.org/">www.mchstheatre.org</a>. Student tickets are $6.00 in advance and $8.00 at the door. Adult tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Gold card members may purchase tickets for $5.00. For more information call (281) 237-3803 or visit <a href="http://www.mchstheatre.org/">www.mchstheatre.org</a>. </p></div>

It is the policy of Katy ISD not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, religion, color, gender, age, or national originin its educational programs and/or activities, including career and technology programs, nor in its employment practicesand to provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

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